Knitting machine with device for jacquard patterning

ABSTRACT

A knitting machine is provided with a device for Jacquard patterning which comprises a read-out device for information relating to a desired pattern, wherein the read-out information is arranged to control electromagnets which in turn set displaceable parts, such as jacks or plates, into an operative position in which they can actuate needles associated therewith, or into a rest position, in which they can miss the needles. For this purpose each electromagnet is arranged to control the position of a guide face, and each guide face is arranged to control a group of parts during relative movement between the guide faces and the groups. The parts of a group are separated from each other by the parts of other groups, and are of a number which is smaller by one than the number of electromagnets. The guide faces are staggered is a row transverse to the direction of relative movement and co-operate with control faces which are disposed on the parts at correspondingly staggered locations. The invention is adaptable for use in flat bed knitting machines and circular knitting machines. A mechanical cam disc controls a pivot arm which has an end opposite the control disc in engagement with a member directly controlling a slide member so that such slide member may be moved in one position by said electro-magnetic means only when said cam is in a certain predetermined range of rotation. The slider member has a lower end comprising the guide face for directly engaging the control faces which are provided on the jacks or plates, which jacks or plates in turn directly engage the knitting needles.

Unite States Patent 1 Flad [54] KNITTING MACHINE WITH DEVICE FORJACQUARD PATTERNING [76] Inventor: Karl Flad, 29 Haupstrasse, Undingen,Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 88,545

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 14, 1969 Germany .L ..P 1957 399.0

[52] US. Cl ..66/50 R, 66/50 B [51] Int. Cl. ..D04b 15/78 [58] Field ofSearch ..66/50 R, 25, 154 A, 75, 50 B [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,423,960 1/1969 Wiesinger et al.... 66/25 3,446,0375/1969 Sutton ..66/25 3,564,870 2/1971 Glaunsinger..... 66/50 R3,262,285 7/1966 Beguin et al. 66/50 R 2,173,488 9/1939 Tandler etal.... 66/50 R 3,229,482 l/l966 Farmer ..66/50 R 2,731,817 1/1956Thurston ...66/50 R X 3,274,802 9/1966 Schmidt et al. .....66/l54 A X2,970,461 2/1961 Hoffman ..66/154 A UX 2,072,969 3/1937 Tandler ..66/154A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 483,511 2/1970 Switzerland ..66/501,563,200 3/1969 France ...66/50 R 336,151 10/1930 Great Britain...66/50 R 164,914 8/1965 U.S.S.R ..66/75 Primary Examiner-Wm. CarterReynolds Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Aknitting machine is provided with a device for Jacquard patterning whichcomprises a read-out device for information relating to a desiredpattern, wherein the read-out information is arranged to controlelectromagnets which in turn set displaceable parts, such as jacks orplates, into an operative position in which they can actuate needlesassociated therewith, or into a rest position, in which they can missthe needles. For this purpose each electromagnet is arranged to controlthe position of a guide face, and each guide face is arranged to controla group of parts during relative movement between the guide faces andthe groups. The parts of a group are separated from each other by theparts of other groups, and are of a number which is smaller by one thanthe number of electromagnets. The guide faces are staggered is a rowtransverse to the direction of relative movement and co-operate withcontrol faces which are disposed on the parts at correspondinglystaggered locations. The invention is adaptable for use in flat bedknitting machines and circular knitting machines. A mechanical cam disccontrols a pivot arm which has an end opposite the control disc inengagement with a member directly controlling a slide member so thatsuch slide member may be moved in one position by said electro-magneticmeans only when said cam is in a certain predetermined range ofrotation. The slider member has a lower end comprising the guide facefor directly engaging the control faces which are provided on the jacksor plates, which jacks or plates in turn directly engage the knittingneedles.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRB I973 3.72420 sum 1 BF 4INVENTOR KARL FLAD BY Cvoij, Antmneul, ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPR 3 1975SHEET 2 BF 4 Fig. 4

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QQQQNNQQQQQQQQQQQQ W 1 aaaaaaaamaaaaamaa INVENTOR KARL FLAD BY Cvais,Antoneul, Stewart Q HLll ATTORNEYS INVEN TOR KARL FLAD Y CvroiaAntoneui, 5teu Q t*H u ATTORNES KNITTING MACHINE WITH DEVICE FORJACQUARD PATTERNING The invention relates to a knitting machine with adevice for Jacquard patterning which embodies a read out device forinformation corresponding to a pattern and a selection device controlledthereby for electromagnetic selection of the needles, having partsassociated with the needles which are movable by means of guide surfacesinto an operative position in which they act on the needles and into aninactive position in which they remain without influence on the needles.

Such a knitting machine is known from US. Pat. No. 3,313,128. In thiscircular knitting machine a read-out device and a pattern wheel aredriven synchronously by the rotating needle cylinder, the axis of thepattern wheel being inclined to the axis of the needle cylinder. Theperiphery of the pattern wheel embodies radial teeth which are adaptedto be moved forward and back. Teeth located in the operative positionengage the feet of jacks arranged behind the needles in the needle ductof the needle cylinder. Teeth which are not in the operative position donot engage the feet of the jacks concerned. Owing to the inclinedposition of the pattern wheel relatively to the needle cylinder theteeth located in the operative position guide the jacks upwardly in theneedle cylinder during the rolling movement of the pattern wheel on theneedle cylinder and thus into a position in which the respective needleis engaged by the cam carriage to perform a working operation.

In this known arrangement, one end of a spring rod is fixed to the innerend of the radially displaceable teeth and the other end is secured tothe pattern wheel. The spring rod is extended upwardly beyond theattachment point where it engages in a stationary guide duct. This guideduct is forked in the direction of rotary movement of the pattern wheeldirectly behind the poles of a stationary magnet arrangement. Theintermediate member lying between the two stationary guide duct brancheshas the form of a wedge which is curved around the axis of the patternwheel and which leads radially outwardly the ends of the springs in theouter duct and thus guides also outwardly the associated tooth. Themagnet arrangement is part of the electromagnetic needle selectiondevice controlled by the read-out device and ensures that the springrods of the teeth which are not selected enter the one branch duct whichruns concentrically around the axisof the pattern wheel, but the springrods of the selected pattern teeth enter the other, eccentricallydisposed branch of the guide duct.

The rod springs are guided over an inclined surface stationary relativeto the rotating pattern wheel to the pole of a magnet and retained bythe magnet against the spring force of the rod springs. The magnetexhibits a very narrow magnetic pole occupying only approximately thewidth of a single spring rod; this magnet is connected to the read-outdevice. If this magnet is magnetized, the spring ends remain attractedand the spring rods enter the concentric guide branch. If, however, themagnet produces no magnet field, the spring rod moves away from the poleface of the latter in the region of the small pole of the magnet underthe action of its natural spring force and by the rotary movement of thepattern movement it passes into the eccentrically disposed branch of theguide duct, whereby the associated tooth is moved outwardly into itsoperative position.

A disadvantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that the spring rodswear comparatively quickly in operation and in general must be replacedapproximately annually, whereby the whole machine is out of use for acertain period and moreover the replacement of the springs involves acomparatively high cost. Also the mechanical construction of the wholepatterning device is so complicated that the cost of the knittingmachine is thereby seriously increased. A particular disadvantage ofthis known knitting machine in which the needles are selectedsynchronously with the rotation of the needle cylinder lies in the factthat the rotation speed of the needle cylinder depends on the speed atwhich the needles can be selected. Since in this knitting machine alwaysonly single spring rod must be located in the region of the small magnetpole performing the selection, the selection speed is limited by theperiod in which a spring rod can swing so far that it enters reliablyinto the eccentric branch duct on its further movement. Also, in theperiod in which the pattern wheel moves on by one tooth pitch theelectromagnet with the small pole must be oppositely magnetized if thefollowing tooth is to have a different position that the precedingtooth. The reverse magnetization of a magnet does not however, proceedas quickly as required since the magnet has a certain upper limitingfrequency determined by its construction, which cannot be exceeded ifthe magnet pole is to have sufficient magnetization for reliableoperation of the pattern wheel. Since the selection magnet must producea certain force sufficient to retain the end of the spring rod theperipheral speed of the needle cylinder is comparatively low owing tothe time required for the selection operation.

The invention is directed to the problem of providing a knitting machinewhich overcomes the disadvantages of the known knitting machine.

The problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that theselection device embodies several electromagnets which are controlled bythe read-out device and each of which is associated with an adjustableguide surface which it adjusts and each of which is intended forcontrolling agroup of parts, and the parts of one group are separatedfrom each other by a number of parts of other groups which number issmaller by 1 than the number of electromagnets, that the adjustableguide surfaces are staggered transversely to the relative movementbetween the parts and guide surfaces and the parts are provided withcontrol surfaces which are staggered correspondingly and which come intoengagement with the respective associated adjusted guide surface. Anadvantage of the invention lies in the fact that the working speed ofthe knitting machine can be substantially increased despite having aseries read out. When using ten electromagnet systems the working speedcan be increased ten fold so far as other factors do not prevent this.By the invention the result is obtained that the working speed of theknitting machine is no longer limited by the electromagnets. Accordinglyvery strong electromagnets which therefore have a relatively low upperlimiting frequency can be used. By the use of very powerful magnets, anextremely reliable selection is obtained so that there are no knittingfaults due to faulty selection. which can easily occur with selectionsystems operating near the upper limiting speed. Owing to the fact thatpowerful magnets are used despite the high selection speed, there is thepossibility of adjusting a guide surface directly by the magnets. Thisgives the advantage that the spring rodsand like parts liable to rapidwear, as are provided in the known knitting machines, can be omitted andthe machine can be constructed so robustly that it can operate for along period without repairs and without a replacement of parts. It isfurther possible by the invention to construct the parts associated withthe needles as plates which operate the needles. By virtue of the invention the plates of circular knitting machines or the jacks of flatbedknitting machines can be selected directly and can be moved into therest position or into the operative position. In circular knittingmachines, the parts which bring the needles into the operative positionsare referred to as plates, whereas in flatbed knitting machines theparts which bring the needles into the operative position are referredto as jacks. it is also possible to save the pattern wheel together withthe radially adjustable teeth; the plates located in the needle cylinderof the circular knitting machine, or the jacks located in the needle bedof the flatbed machine can be selected directly; thereby the knittingmachine is simplified in construction and its production issubstantially reduced in cost. Moreover the space required owing to thelaterally projecting pattern wheel is reduced since the device accordingto the invention can be arranged to save space.

It is possible to effect the movement of the parts into the restposition and also into the working position by adjustable guidesurfaces. in a preferred constructional form of the invention, however,a stationary bearing surface is provided which moves the parts contraryto the direction in which they are moved by the adjustable guidesurfaces. Preferably, the parts are moved to their working position bythe bearing surface and are moved back to their rest position by theadjustable guide surfaces in accordance with the selection demanded bythe pattern. in such case the bearing surface is provided directly infront of the adjustable guide surfaces in the direction of movement ofthe parts.

The selected parts which have not run on to the guide surface andtherefore remain in the working position are moved forward in theirlongitudinal direction by running onto a lifter cam, whereby they comeeither into a position in which they are engaged by the main cam orwhereby they move directly the needles into a position in which they areengaged by the main cam. in one constructional form of the invention inwhich the parts are arranged as plates, the plates have such profiles attheir ends facing the lifter cam and the lifter cam also has suchprofile that guiding of the ends ofthe plates is obtained. Thereby thereis produced in practice a close-fitting connection between the ends ofthe plates and the lifter cam so that the ends of the plates are notmoved by any disturbances, e.g., vibrations, out of the region of thelifter cam so that they do not travel to the end of the lifter cam whichmay lead to patterning faults. The operational reliability of themachine is substantially increased by this construction of the endsresults.

The adjustable guide surfaces can be provided substantially with anydesired mutual arrangement. E.g., the guide surfaces maybe provided at aspacing in the direction of relative movement between guide surfaces andplates, the spacing being equal to the spacing between the plates.

in this case all the magnets operatinG the adjustable guide surfaces canbe controlled simultaneously. The control of the magnets and the readingout of the information can in this case be effected for all the magnetssimultaneously. The read-out device can operate in this case as slowlyas the magnets. In general, however, the read-out devices operate muchmore quickly than the magnets so that a read-out device can feed severalmag- I nets without difficulty. In a preferred constructional form ofthe invention, the adjustable guide surfaces are arranged in one rowparallel to the longitudinal axis of the plates. The individual magnetsoperating the adjustable guide surfaces are controlled one relatively tothe other at such timed intervals as correspond to the timed spacingbetween two plates. Anadvantage of this arrangement lies in the factthat the mechanical construction of the arrangement is greatlysimplified if the adjustable guide surfaces and the magnets operatingthem are arranged in one row and can thus be produced in the form of acompact unit.

The control surfaces of the plates may be produced for example in theform of depressions formed in the plates. In a preferred constructionalform of the invention, however, the control surfaces of the plates arein the form of feet of the plates and the location of the plate feet atthe plates is chosen for each group of plates according tothe associatedadjustable guide surface. There are, therefore, as many types of platesas there are different adjustable guide surfaces. By reason of the factthat the guide surfaces are in the form of plate feet which project awayfrom the plate bodies proper, it is possible to allow the plates toremain in the groove even in the raised position; only the plate footprojects from the groove.

1 The magnets may operate the adjustable guide surfaces directly e.g.,they may be constructed as pull magnets which attract against the actionof a spring their armature and the guide surface connected to thearmature and thereby move the adjustable guide surface into the one orthe other position corresponding to the intended pattern. In a preferredconstructional form however the adjustable guide surfaces are connectedto a magnet armature which is adapted to be moved mechanically to thepoles of the associated electromagnet. This arrangement has theparticular advantage that the clectromagncts can bc made substantiallysmaller than in the previously described case, since the electromagnetsmcrcly have to retain the armature but do not have to attract thelatter. A holder magnet is, however, substantially smaller for the sameattraction force than a pull magnet which must attract its armature.

The magnet armature of the electromagnet may be mechanically connectede.g., by a spring, to the mechanical drive. In a preferredconstructional form of the invention the magnet armature is so arrangedthat durlng movement to the poles of the electromagnet, it follows themechanical drive but that, during its movement in the oppositedirection, it is driven by the mechanical drive. This construction hasthe advantage that the magnet armature is always moved to the poles ofthe electromagnet independently of any varying frictional factors orother disturbing influences. Thereafter the mechanical drive can moveaway again since in this direction of movement it is merely functionallyconnected with the magnet armature. For this purpose the functionalconnection may be produced by a spring the spring force of which is soproportioned that it does not exceed the force holding the magnetarmature at the poles of the electromagnet when the electromagnet isenergized. On the other hand, this has the advantage that the force ofthe spring overcomes possible adhesion of the armature as a result ofresidual magnetism when the magnet is not energized and the magnetarmature should drop away, and causes reliable release of the magnetarmature.

The adjustable guide surfaces may be fitted directly to the magnetarmature. In a preferred constructional form of the invention, however,the adjustable guide surfaces are arranged at one end of a rod the otherend of which is fitted to the magnet armature. This has the advantagethat the designer can select relatively freely the arrangement andmutual positioning of guide surfaces, magnet armatures and magnets, andcan adapt such arrangement and positioning to the particular type ofconstruction of the machine to which the device is to be fitted.

The mechanical drive can be arranged in various ways. E.g., themechanical drive may be effected by cylinder-piston devices which areoperated hydraulically or pneumatically. The drive may also be effectedby a crank drive. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however,the mechanical drive of the magnet armature and of the adjustable guidesurface connected thereto is derived from a cam disc. It is possible ina simple way by means of a cam disc to obtain any desired timed motionof the mechanical drive. Moreover a cam disc allows alteration andexchange without difficulties if it should be necessary under particularcircumstances to vary the movement and speed of the mechanical drive.

According to the diameter of the cam disc provided, an operating actioncan be provided for on a part of the periphery so that several workingoperations can be carried through during one revolution of the cam disc.In preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the cam discexecutes one revolution in a given period during which the plates havemoved relatively to the guide surfaces by an amount which is equal tothe spacing between two plates of one group. In this way cam discs ofrelatively small diameter can be used and thereby relatively smallaccelerations and retardations of the mechanical drive can be ensuredwhich has the advantage that the machine runs very quietly and the wearof the working parts is relatively small.

The transmission of movement from the cam disc to the magnet armaturemay be effected e.g., by means of push rods. In a preferredconstructional form of the invention, the transmission of movement fromthe cam disc to the rod carrying the magnet armature is effective bymeans of a rocket one end of which follows the shape of the cam disc andthe other end of which is connected to the rod which is arrangedapproximately perpendicularly to the rocker and the rocker pivot axis.By the use of a lever arranged as a rocker, a desired ratio can beimparted to the movement provided for by the cam disc to increase it orreduce it according to requirements. By the use of a lever, it ismoreover possible to arrange the magnet and the cam disc laterally ofone another.

The connection of the rod to the end of the rocker may be effected invarious ways. In a preferred constructional form of the invention therod embodies a cross pin which runs approximately parallel to the rockeraxis and engages a slot which is provided in the region of the end ofthe rocker end near the rod may be forked, as is provided in a furtherconstructional form, and each of the two arms of the fork may beprovided with a slot.

In constructional forms of the invention a release spring is providedwhich rests on the one hand against the rod and on the other handagainst the rocker and exerts a force which tends to separate the magnetarmature from themagnet poles, wherein the force exerted by the releasespring is less than the force required for separating the magnetarmature when the electromagnet is energized. This embodiment of theinvention has the advantage that on the one hand the parts of themechanical drive rest one against the other without play owing to theaction of the release spring and on the other hand, as already stated,the release spring facilitates the disengagement of the magnet armaturefrom the poles of the electromagnet. When the electromagnet is notenergized and the magnet armature should fall away from the poles,possible sticking of the armature to the poles, which may be caused byremanence, is overcome by the force exerted by the release spring andthus a reliable and disturbance free operation of the device accordingto the invention is obtained. At the same time the release spring exertsa force on the rocker which ensures that the end of the rocker facingthe cam disc rests on the latter.

Alternatively the release spring may, however, be so constructed that itexerts no force or only a small force on the rocker when the magnetarmature has been released. In these cases according to a furtherembodiment of the invention the one end of the rocker bears against thecam disc under the action of a rocker spring. The rocker spring holdsthe end of-the rocker in engagement with the cam disc independently ofthe release spring and independently of whether the magnet armature hasbeen attracted or released. In place of the rocker spring alternativelya positive guiding of the rocker end on the cam disc may be provided,e.g., in such manner that the end of the rocker engages a groove of thecam disc whereby the end of the rocker is forced to follow the course ofthe groove in the cam disc.

In a preferred construction form of the invention the slot is arrangedat the rod-facing end of the rocker in such relation to the cross pin ofthe rod that during the movement of the magnet armature derived fRom thecam disc towards the poles of the electromagnet the cross pin bearsagainst the end of the slot remote from the magnet armature and therebytransmits the movement in a functional way. If, however, after themagnet armature has been guided to the poles of the magnet the rockermoves in the opposite direction again, the magnet armature is notthereby pulled away from the poles since the cross pins can move in theslot in this direction. The positive connection between the: magnetarmature and the rocker is provided in this position of the mechanicaldrive by the release spring.

In embodiments of the invention, a constructional simplification of theinvention is obtained by the fact that the cam disc for the armatures ofall the electromagnets are fixedly mounted on a common shaft and areoffset one against another by an angle in each case which corresponds tothe spacing of two plates from one another. Thereby there is attainednot only a very compact unit, but also a common drive can be providedfor all the cam discs. In a further construction of this embodiment therockers may embody a common pivot axiS which runs parallel to the axisof the cam discs. There is obtained in this way a very compactconstructional unit which comprises all the mechanical components aswell as the associated electromagnets. The constructional unit may be soarranged that it can be exchanged by means of a few manual operations iftrouble arises so that stoppages of the machine caused by suchdisturbances can be kept short.

The cam disc may be so constructed that it feeds the magnet armature tothe poles of the electromagnet and immediately afterwards the functionalconnection is dissolved. In a preferred constructional form of theinvention, however, the cam disc holds the rocker during about /4revolution in a position in which the magnet armature is guided to thepoles of the electromagnet by a functional connection, and during aboutA revolution the rocker is held in a position in which the magnetarmature is releasable from the poles, assisted by the force of therelease spring. This embodiment has the advantage that the instants ofmagnetization and demagnetization do not need to be synchronizedextremely exactly with the particular position of the cam disc but maydepart somewhat therefrom whereby difficulties in the timing of thevarious operations can be avoided.

The adjustable guide surface may be arranged e.g., as abutment surfaceat the lower end of the rod and may force the plate located beneath itinto the groove when the magnet armature is released. This would,however, require that the release of the magnet armature must beeffected in the time interval in which the passing plate is locatedunder the abutment surface of the rod. In order to reduce thisrequirement as regards the timing,

a preferred embodiment of the invention provides thatthe adjustableguide surface is disposed on a slider and is provided with a slopedsurface inclined to the direction of travel of the plate feet. In thiscase the slider is preferably guided in a guide way directed in linewith its longitudinal axis. By the arrangement of the guide surface asan inclined surface it is possible to release the guide surface at anydesired moment before the approach of the plate concerned which byengagement of the foot of the plate with the inclined surface is pressedin the groove and is guided out of the region of the lifter cam. Theslider which is subjected to a certain wear since the feet of the platesslide over it may be interchangeably mounted on the rod. The tangentialforce exerted by the feet of the plates on the guide surface is absorbedby the guide way of the slider and kept away from the rod, the cross pinand the magnet armature.

A constructional embodiment of the invention which is suitableparticularly for circular knitting machines, but also for flat bedmachines when suitably modified, is provided with a slider which ismovable mechanically to its end positions and for each slider a stop isprovided which is controlled by always one of the electro magnets andwhich is displaceable in the path of movement of the controlled slider.In this case the slider is moved mechanically to its end positions andselection by the electromagnets is effected by a stop controlled by theassociated electromagnet. An advantage of this embodiment lies in thefact that the reciprocation of the slider is effected practicallyindependently of the magnet and thus no account has to be taken of theforce which can be produced by the magnets. Only when the slider is inits end position is the stop controlled by the associated electromagnetdisplaced into the path of movement of the controlled slider or,according to the information, not displaced. When the stop is displacedthe controlled slider can no longer change its position while when thestop is not displaced the controlled slider returns under the action ofthe spring to its starting position from which it was displaced in afunctional way.

In a particularly preferred embodiment a mechanical detention of theslider is provided in both end positions and for this purpose aconstructional component part is used which operates the slider byabutting it. The component part for moving the slider by abutment intoits one end position is necessary in any case in this embodiment and isthus used multifold since it serves additionally for detaining orlocking the slider in its two end positions. For this purpose, thiscomponent part embodies e.g., at least one lug which co-operates with atleast one depression or a lug on the controlled slider and provides themechanical detention or locking in both end positions of the slider. Itis advantageous in this case that the slider is retained reliably in itsselected position even under the influence of vibrations or otherdisturbances sothat a false needle selection due to undesireddisplacement of the slider is practically excluded.

In one construction of the invention the stop is adapted to be displacedinto the path of movement of the slider by the force of a spring and tobe removed therefrom positively. The stop is, therefore, disengaged by acomponent part moved synchronously with the operating cycle of themachine and can, according to the selection by the magnets, swing backunder the spring force into the path of movement of the slider.

The control of the stop is effected in a preferred embodiment of theinvention in such manner that the stop is arranged at the end of one armof a two-armed lever, the other arm of which carries a magnet armature.On positive disengagement of the stop from the path of movement from theslider, the magnet armature is moved thereby to the magnet. On releaseof the positive actuation, the magnet armature is retained when themagnet is energized and the stop is retained against the action of thespring which tends to return it. When the magnet is not energized themagnet armature is released under the action of the spring force actingon the stop, and the stop moves back into the path of movement of theslider.

The magnet armature may be fitted rigidly to the lever arm. In preferredconstructions, however, the magnet armature is supported pivotally onthe lever and is resiliently displaceable thereon tangentially to thedirection of movement of the lever. Thereby possible small tolerances inthe lever bearing and in the arrangement of the parts can be compensatedand the magnet armature can always come smoothly and fully intoengagement with the poles of the electromagnet. In a particularlypreferred embodiment of the invention the path of the end of the levercarrying the armature is longer in this case than the path of thearmature. Thereby the armature is brought not only to the pole of theelectromagnet, but is pressed against the pole of the electromagnetunder the influence of its resiliently yieldable bearing on the leverarm. This over pressure leads not only to a bearing of the magnetarmature virtually without air gap on the poles of the electromagnet,but it also results in a very smooth running of the machine.

In embodiments of the invention the magnet cassette embodies guide lugshaving guide surfaces which are inclined to the direction of movement ofthe magnet armature and the mutual spacing of which is reduced in thedirection towards the pole faces of the electromagnets. These guide lugsensure that the magnet armature is guided exactly onto the pole faces ofthe electromagnets despite the presence of bearing play against thelever and despite the presence of bearing play of the lever itself,since the guide surfaces of the guide lugs guide the magnet armatureinto the correct position.

In embodiments of the invention the energization and de-energization ofthe electromagnets is synchronized with the mechanism leading theannatures against the magnet poles, in such manner that the energizationoccurs only when the armature is pressed on, the de-energization howeveris effected after the armature has been released. Owing to the fact thatthe energization occurs only when the armature rests on the pole faceadjacent parts are prevented from being influenced by stray effectswhich would occur to high degree as long as the path of the magneticflux through iron is not yet completely closed.

Owing to the long time tolerances which are permissible owing to theinvention there is no need for making high demands on thesynchronization so that the latter can be effected without greatexpenditure and can be constructed very simply.

The magnet armature, for example, may consist ofa hard magneticmaterial. With an appropriate magnetization of the poles of theelectromagnets the magnet armature is then attracted, with the oppositemagnetization of the poles the magnet armature is repelled. However, itis also possible to produce the magnet armature from a soft magneticmaterial. The armature is then detained as long as the magnet isenergized independently of the direction of the magnetization of thepoles of the magnet. When the energization is removed the magnetarmature is released. However, it may happen in this case that themagnet armature sticks" when the releasing force is small with which itis pulled off the poles. This may be counteracted by a suitableselection of the material of the magnet armature which must have as lowa remanence as possible. In an embodiment of the invention, however,provision is made rent of a de-magnetization oscillation. Such circuithas the advantage that always good de-magnetisation occurs because theamplitude of the alternating field produced tends to zero in a pulsatingmanner.

It has already been stated that with an appropriate arrangement of theelectromagnets parallel selection of the information and paralleloperation of the magnets is possible. In this case a single magnet groupmay be provided which controls successively the individual plate groups.However, it is also possible to provide as many magnet groups, as plategroups are present, whereby it is possible to adjust all platessimultaneously. Such embodiments in which as many informationchannels'are required as magnets are provided are particularly suitablefor flat bed knitting machines. In preferred embodiments of theinvention which are particularly suitable for circular knitting machinesthe read-out device reads the information signals for the individualelectromagnets in succession arid a distributor is provided whichdistributes the information signals to the individual electromagnets,the read-out device, the distributor and the mechanism leading themagnet armatures to the magnet poles being synchronized relatively toeach other. Such embodiment has the advantage that only one informationchannel with a single scanning path is necessary.

The signal foreach magnet is obviously only of such maximum length ascorresponds to the time spacing between two plates. In an embodiment ofthe invention, therefore, a circuit is provided between the read-outdevice and the electromagnet which lengthens the signal of the read-outdevice. Thereby it is possible to utilize the powerful and robustelectromagnets in spite of the read-out in series connection. Suchpulses lengthening circuits are known. For this purpose, for example,relays with delayed opening action or the circuit known as monostablemulti-vibrator may be used.

The apparatus may be so constructed that the electromagnet is energizedas long as a signal is present. In other embodiments of the invention,however, the electromagnet is energized as long as no signal of thereadout device is present. The signal of the read-out device has theeffect thatthe electromagnet is de-energized, for example bydisconnecting the energization or by switching on a de-magnetization,whereby themagnet armature is released and the adjustable guide path iscontrolled accordingly. In embodiments of the invention the outputsignal of the read-out device controls change-over switches by which theelectromagnets are connected alternately to an energizing or ade-energizing current source. It would also be possible to feed themagnets with the impulses delivered by the read-out device, undercertain circumstances after re-shaping and/or amplification.

The magnet armature may be fitted rigidly to the lever arm. In preferredconstructions, however, the magnet armature is supported pivotally onthe lever and is resiliently displaceable thereon tangentially to thedirection of movement of the lever. Thereby possible small tolerances inthe lever bearing and in the arrangement of the parts can be compensatedand the magnet armature can always come smoothly and fully intoengagement with the poles of the electromagnet. In a particularlypreferred embodiment of the invention the path of the end of the levercarrying the armature is longer in this case than the path of thearmature. Thereby the armature is brought not only to the pole of theelectromagnet, but is pressed against the pole of the electromagnetunder the influence of its resiliently yieldable bearing on the leverarm. This over pressure leads not only to a bearing of the magnetarmature virtually without air gap on the poles of the electromagnet,but it also results in a very smooth running of the machine.

In embodiments of the invention the magnet cassette embodies guide lugshaving guide surfaces which are inclined to the direction of movement ofthe magnet armature and the mutual spacing of which is reduced in thedirection towards the pole faces of the electromagnets. These guide lugsensure that the magnet armature is guided exactly onto the pole faces ofthe electromagnets despite the presence of bearing play against thelever and despite the presence of bearing play of the lever itself,since the guide surfaces of the guide lugs guide the magnet armatureinto the correct position.

In embodiments of the invention the energization and de-energization ofthe electromagnets is synchronized with the mechanism leading thearmatures against the magnet poles, in such manner that the energizationoccurs only when the armature is pressed on, the de-energization howeveris effected after the armature has been released. Owing to the fact thatthe energization occurs only when the armature rests on the pole faceadjacent parts are prevented from being influenced by stray effectswhich would occur to high degree as long as the path of the magneticflux through iron is not yet completely closed.

Owing to the long time tolerances which are permissible owing to theinvention there is no need for making high demands on thesynchronization so that the latter can be effected without greatexpenditure and can be constructed very simply.

The magnet armature, for example, may consist of a hard magneticmaterial. With an appropriate magnetization of the poles of theelectromagnets the magnet armature is then attracted, with the oppositemagnetization of the poles the magnet armature is repelled. However, itis also possible to produce the magnet armature from a soft magneticmaterial. The armature is then detained as long as the magnet isenergized independently of the direction of the magnetization of thepoles of the magnet. When the energization is removed the magnetarmature is released. However, it may happen in this case that themagnet armature sticks" when the releasing force is small with which itis pulled off the poles. This may be counteracted by a suitableselection of the material of the magnet armature which must have as lowa remanence as possible. In an embodiment of the invention, however,provision is made 4 of which is opposite to the energizationThc directcurrent impulse may be dimensioned in this case in such manner that itcancels the remanent magnetism. Thereby, sticking of the magnet isavoided and the armature is released with certainty. As a de-magnetizingcurrent source, alternatively a circuit arrangement is suitable whichdelivers an impulse in the form of a current of a de-magnetizationoscillation. Such circuit has the advantage that always goodde-magnetisation occurs because the, amplitude of the alternating fieldproduced tends to zero in a pulsating manner.

It has already been stated that with an appropriate arrangement of theelectromagnets parallel selection of the information and paralleloperation of the magnets is possible. In this case a single magnet groupmay be provided which controls successively the individual plate groups.However, it is also possible to provide as many magnet groups as plategroups are present, whereby it is possible to adjust all platessimultaneously. Such embodiments in which as many information channels.are required as magnets are provided are particularly suitable for flatbed knitting machines. In preferred embodiments of the invention whichare particularly suitable for circular knitting machines the read-outdevice reads the information signals for the individual electromagnetsin succession and a distributor is provided which distributes theinformation signals to the individual electromagnets, the read-outdevice, the distributor and the mechanism leading the magnet arrnaturesto the magnet poles being synchronized relatively to each other. Suchembodiment has the advantage that only one information channel with asingle scanning path is necessary.

The signal for each magnet is obviously only of such maximum length ascorresponds to the time spacing between two plates. In an embodiment ofthe invention, therefore, a circuit is provided between the read-outdevice and the electromagnet which lengthens the signal of the read-outdevice. Thereby it is possible to utilize the powerful and robustelectromagnets in spite of the read-out in series connection. Suchpulses lengthening circuits are known. For this purpose, for example,relays with delayed opening action or the circuit known as monostablemulti-vibrator may be used.

The apparatus may be so constructed that the electromagnet is energizedas long as a signal is present. In other embodiments of the invention,however, the electromagnet is energized as long as no signal of thereadout device is present. The signal of the read-out device has theeffect that the electromagnet is de-energized, for example bydisconnecting the energization or by switching on a de-magnetization,whereby the magnet armature is released and the adjustable guide path iscontrolled accordingly. In embodiments of the invention the outputsignal of the read-out device controls change-over switches by which theelectromagnets are connected alternately to an energizing or ade-energizing current source. It would also be possible to feed themagnets with the impulses delivered by the read-out I device, undercertain circumstances after re-shaping and/or amplification.-

The association in time of the output signal of the read-out device withthe position of the plate to be controlled which corresponds to thisinstant of time, may be freely selected within wide limits. Inembodiments of the invention the output signal of the read-out devicewith the start of which the electromagnet receives the de-magnetizingcurrent, is arranged at an instant of time at which the associated plateis still located in front of the adjustable guide surface. In this case,the de-magnetizing current is still flowing after the magnet pole hasbeen guided by the mechanism to the magnet poles. If the instant of timewere so selected that the associated plate is located already under theguidance, the possible period of time during which the impulse mayarrive without the selection being impaired would be greatly reduced.Also, the instant of time at which the de-magnetizing current isswitched off may fluctuate within limits; it must merely be so selectedthat at the instant at which the mechanism moves back again from themagnet poles the magnet is fully energized again under certaincircumstances and is capable again of detaining the magnet armature.

The electromagnets may have any conventional known configuration. In anembodiment of the invention the core of the electromagnet is in theshape of a U the ends of the limbs of which form the magnet poles andthe yoke of which supports the winding. Also the limbs may be soextended that the shape of an H is produced. In other embodiments of theinvention the magnet core is in the form of an E, the coil being wouldaround the central limb thereof and the ends of the three limbs formingmagnet poles. This embodiment has the advantage that the coil can befinished wound on a mandrel and thereafter pushed upon the magnet coreand fixed thereon. The coil need not be wound around the core and istherefore interchangeable, when required.

Generally, the selected plates or jacks actuate the needles in order tomove them into the operative position or to leave them in the restposition. In embodiments of the invention the plates or jacks may be soconstructed that they select the needles directly. In this manner, theexpense for the machine is reduced. In this case the plates ofembodiments of the invention adhere by friction to the grooves in whichthey are disposed. The plates consist, for example, of generally flatsheet metal strips which, however, are not uniformly flat but areslightly cranked once or more times,'that is to say they are slightlycorrugated along their length and rest against the sides of the grooveswith a resilient bias. The width of the groove is slightly greater thanthe thickness of the plates. The friction connection is sufficient forretaining the plates in position in the beds of flat bed knittingmachines which may be disposed horizontally or inclined. The frictionconnection, however, is also sufficient for holding the plates ofcircular knitting machines in the grooves against the force of gravityand against the centrifugal force exerted thereon during the rotation ofthe cylinder. The use of a friction connection for detaining the platesdoes not require additional expenditure which would otherwise benecessary if the plates had to be held in close contact.

As mentioned already, the invention can be used for a flat bed knittingmachines and purl-purl knitting machines as well as for circularknitting machines.

Several embodiments of the invention are described below by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a part of a knittingmachine constructed in accordance with the invention showing theknitting machine rotated approximately from its in use position,

FIG. 1A is an enlarged schematic view showing details of a mounting ofcams for effecting movement of plates,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the mechanism leading the magnetarmature to the magnet,

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a section along the line III IIIof FIG. 2 with plates shown diagrammatically in one plane,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of another mechanism for leadingthe magnet armature to the electromagnet,

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate control elements for the selection device and acircuit diagram for the control of the electromagnets in accordance withinformation stored on a tape.

In a circular knitting machine a section of which is illustrated in FIG.1, plates 102 are disposed in grooves 103 in a needle cylinder 101. Theplates 102 are provided with semi-circular recesses 105 at their endsremote from needles 104. The plates have a flat configuration and eachis provided with an upwardly projecting plate foot 106 or control face.The needle cylinder 101 rotates in the direction of the arrow 107.During the rotation the plates 102 are pushed out of the grooves 103 bya stationary adjusting cam 108 having a stationary adjusting face tosuch extent that at least the plate feet 106 project from the outer faceof the needle cylinder 101. The ends provided with the recesses orprofiles 105 of the upwardly displaced plates run upon a lifter cam 109which is provided on the side adjacent to the plate ends with anenlargement 110 of semi-circular cross-section which fits into therecesses or profiles 105 and serves as a guide for the plate ends whichprevents displacement of the plate ends in a radial direction. Thelifter cam 109 is also stationarily disposed, similarly to the adjustingcam 108. Whereas, however, the adjusting cam 108 moves the platesoutwardly in a radial direction, the lifter cam 109 moves the plates 102in an axial direction.

FIG. 1A illustrates in detail how the cams 108 and 109 are mountedwithout colliding with the drive of the needle cylinders. The needlecylinder 101 is rotatably disposed on a fixed chamber a. The cams 108and 109 are attached to this fixed hollow cylinder a. Cylinder aexhibits an annular extension b on the outside which is fixed to theengine housing. The needle cylinder 101 extends past the height of thehollow cylinder a. At the lower end of the needle cylinder 101, atoothed rim gear 0 is disposed which has outside teeth d for meshingwith a gear of a motor that can be attached to extension I). The bottomportion of the jacks 105 project below the needle cylinder slots andadjacent a reduced needle cylinder continuation. The extension I) alsocarries the guide bar 136 with the slides 111.

In order to attain plate selection certain plates must be so moved in aradial direction that they miss the lifter cam 109, after previously allplates had been moved by the adjusting cam 108 into the position inwhich they are engaged by the lifter cam 109. The

selection of the plates which miss the lifter cam 109 is effected bysliders 111 which are guided in a radial direction in a guide rail 136and which have inclined faces 112. The sliders 111, a plurality of whichare disposed in an axially extending row and each of which isindividually actuable, can be displaced into two positions: into a lowerone in which the plate feet 106 run upon the inclined face 112, and intoan upper one in which the travelling plate feet 106 do not touch thesliders 111. The inclined face 112 is so inclined that it forms a gapwhich narrows wedge-like in the direction of movement of the surface ofthe needle cylinder 101. When a plate foot 106 runs upon the inclinedface 112 the plate foot is pressed radially inwardly and the plate 102is pressed into the groove 103. The clear width of the grooves isslightly greater than the plate thickness and the plates stick in theirgrooves owing to the fact that they are slightly bent or corrugatedlaterally and thereby rest against the sides of the grooves withfriction contact. By means of the slider 111 therefore a selection ofthe plates 102 is possible owing to the fact that certain plates reachthe lifter cam 109 and are moved axially by the lifter cam 109,whereasother plates selected by lowering the slider 111 are pivoted outof the region of the lifter cam 109 and thereby retain their originalaxial position.

The sliders 111 are attached to the lower end adjacent to the needlecylinder 101 of rods 113 which are directed approximately radially tothe needle cylinder 101. To the end of the rod 113 remote from theneedle cylinder 101 a magnet armature 114 is pivotally attached which inthe upper position of the slider 111 rests against poles 115, 116 of anelectromagnet 117. The electromagnet 117 has an H-shaped core 118 theyoke of which is surrounded by a winding-119. The rod 113 is provided inits center region with a cross pin 120 which is disposed approximatelyparallel to the axis of the needle cylinder 101.

v A rocker 122 is pivotally movable about a shaft 121 the axis of whichextends parallel to the axis of the needle cylinder 101. The rocker 122is approximately perpendicular to the rod 113 and is disposedapproximately tangential to the surface of the needle cylinder 101. Therocker 122 is provided at each of its two ends with a slot which extendsapproximately radial to the needle cylinder 101 and by which the ends ofthe rocker 122 receive a fork-like configuration. The fork-like end ofthe rocker 122 adjacent to the rod 113 embraces the rod 113 in theregion of the cross pin 120 which engages into elongated openings 123which extending in the direction of the rod 113 are provided in theparts of the rocker 122 surrounding the slot. Thereby the rod 113 ismovable in its longitudinal direction, when the rocker 122 isstationary, to an extent permitted by the length of the openings orslots 123. At the end of the rocker remote from the rod 113 a roller 124is rotatably mounted in the slot and rests against the periphery of acam disc 125 under the effect of a compression spring 126 which issupported by a stationary machine part, for example the machine casing.The cam disc 125 is provided with four peripheral sections: a section127 which occupies approximately onequarter of the periphery and whichhas a large radius, a section 128 which occupies approximatelythree-quarters of the periphery and has a smaller radius, and twotransition sections 129 and 130 which are disposed between the two firstmentioned sections.

Between the slider 111 which has a larger cross-section than the rod113, and the forked end of the rocker 122 adjacent to the rod 113, arelease spring 131 is wound around the rod 113 and is supported at itsone end on the slider 111 and at its other end by way of a plate 132 onthe forked end of the rocker 122.

The arrangement comprising the cam disc 125, the rocker 122, the rod 113and the electromagnet 117 is provided several times, for exampleeighteen times. All rocker members 122 are pivotally mounted about thecommon shaft 121. All cam discs 125 are fixedly mounted on a shaft 133which is driven together with the needle cylinder in such manner thatthe shaft 133 performs one rotation when the needle cylinder movesforward by one pitch division which corresponds to 18 grooves 103. Thetotal number of grooves 103, plates 102 and needles 104 provided in theneedle cylinder 101 is a whole number multiple of the number ofelectromagnets 117, in the present case a whole number of multiple ofeighteen. The cam discs 125 are progressively offset relatively to eachother on the shaft 133 always by a uniform angle; the angle is obtainedby dividing the circumference into the number of cam discs 125. Lines125' in FIG. 3 represents the circumference dividing lines and lines 125represent corresponding similar parts of respective cam discs 125. Eachcam disc 125 thus assumes the same position relatively to its associatedplate 102, because-the displacement in time and space of the cam discsrelatively to each other is equal to the space and time offset of theplates relatively to each other. The plate feet 106 are disposeddifferently in the longitudinal direction of the plates 102. Each slider111 operates a group of plates the feet 106 of which have the samespacing from the plate end. The individual plates of a group areseparated from each other by asmany plates of other groups as correspondto the number of cam discs reduced by one. Thus, in the present examplewhich has eighteen cam discs 17 other plates which are associated withother cam discs are always located between the plates of a group. Thus,the plate foot 106 of each eighteenth plate has the same positionrelatively to the plate end. The plate feet are disposed staggered insuch manner that they form the shape of a-saw tooth curve as is clearfrom FIG. 3, which is diagrammatically illustrated in development.

The selection of the plates is effected by cooperation of the rocker 122actuated by the cam disc 125 with the energization or de-energization ofthe electromagnet 117. When the roller 124 of the rocker 122 is locatedon the section 128 with smaller radius of the cam disc, the rocker isrotated in an anti-clockwise directed by the compression spring 126, thecross pin 120 rests at the lower end of the slots 123, and the rod 113is moved upwardly until the magnet armature 114 comes to rest at thepoles and 116 of the electromagnet 117. Thereby, the slider 111 is movedsimultaneously out of the travel path of the plate feet 106 of the plategroup associated therewith. This movement of the rod 113 by which themagnet armature 114 is moved upon the electromagnet 117 is derived byclose contact engagement with the cam disc 125. As soon as the roller124 travels on to the section 127 with larger radius upon continuedrotation of the cam disc 125, the

rocker 122 is rotated thereby in a clockwise direction against the forceof the spring 126. However, the slots 123 are provided with such lengthsthat the cross pin 120 does not yet attain the other end of the slots123. When the electro-magnet 117 is energized it detains the magnetarmature 114 and the inclined face 112 remains outside the path of theplate feet 106 of the plate group associated therewith. When in contrastthe electromagnet 117 is de-magnetized while the roller 124 is locatedon the section 127 with larger radius (FIG. 1), the magnet armature 114is pulled off the magnet poles 115 and 116 by the release spring 131 andthe rod 113 moves in the direction towards the axis of the needlecylinder 101 until the cross pin 120 comes to rest at the lower end ofthe slots 123. In this lower position of the slider 111, the inclinedface 112 is located in the path of the plate feed 106 of the plate groupassociated therewith and the next following plate of the group ispressed into the groove 103 of the needle cylinder 101 when its platefoot 106 runs upon the inclined face 112, so that this plate 102 missesthe lifter cam 109 and is not moved forward axially. The cam disc 125makes always one rotation during the period of time in which the platesof a group move forward by the spacing of the plates of this group fromeach other, so that each plate is individually selectable. Theconnection between the rod 113 and the cam disc 125 in the movementdirection of the rod 113 towards the needle cylinder axis is effected ina positive force transmitting manner by the release spring 131.

The instant of time at which the electromagnets 117 are controlled areindicated in the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 3. At an instant A atwhich the approaching plate of the plate group associated with thiselectromagnet is located at least one plate spacing ahead of the leadingedge of the inclined face 112 the rocker is pivoted in the clockwisedirection by the roll 124 running upon the transition section 129 of thecam disc 125, and thus the inclined face 112 of the slider 111 is movedinto the path of the plate foot 106 of the associated approaching plate102, if the electromagnet 117 has not been energized. At an instant Bwhen the associated plate 102 has left again the region of the inclinedface 112 the roller 124 is located on the transition section 130. Duringthe passage over this transition section the slider 111 is liftedtogether with the magnet armature 114 and the rod 113 and thereby theinclined face 112 is moved out of the path of the plate feet 106 of theplate group associated therewith. At an instant C which is locatedapproximately in the center region of the section 128 having the smallerradius, that is to say it occurs in time after the instant B and beforethe instant A, the signal of the read-out device arrives if the nextfollowing plate is to engage the lifter cam 109, that is to say if it isnot to be pushed back into its groove 103. The energizing currentsupplied to the winding 119 of the electromagnet 117 lasts from theinstant C beyond the instant A and beyond the instant B and terminatesin the region between B and C. If, in contrast, the approaching nextplate must not engage the lifter cam, a de-magnetizing current issupplied to the winding 119 of the electromagnet 117 at the instant C orshortly thereafter when no signal has arrived from the read-out device,the de-magnetizing current lasting at least to the instantA, in generalhowever terminating only after the instant B. The de-magnetizing currentcontinues to flow under certain circumstances through a plurality ofrotations of the cam disc until at an instant C a signal arrives fromthe read-out device. If, in contrast, a signal arrives from the read-outdevice, which means that the associated plate is to be engaged by thelifter cam, an energizing current which lasts from the instant C beyondthe instant A to the instant B is delivered to the winding at theinstant C. The interval C to B corresponds approximately to two-thirdsof the spacing of the plates of the same group from each other. In FIG.2 the instants A, B and C are shown in their approximate positionrelative to the cam disc 125. It is clear from the indicated positionsof the instants A, B and C in FIGS. 2 and 3 how much time is availablefor controlling the electromagnets 117, compared with the short periodof time which would be available if a single magnet were used. When onlya single magnet is used only such time is available for energizing anddeenergizing the magnet which corresponds to the spacing between twomutually adjacent plates.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the mechanical drive of the rod113 in which no use is made of a rocker, but a lever 134 is used whichis pivotally mounted at one end thereof at a fixed bearing point 135 andwhich is affected directly by the cam disc 125. The cam disc 125 isdisposed between the fixed bearing point 135 and the other end of thelever 134 which is adjacent to the rod 1 13.

The described arrangement comprising one group of magnets and one groupof cam discs forms a system. The number of magnets associated with asystem is arbitrary under the condition that it corresponds to a wholenumber fraction of the needles present on the whole needle cylinder. Thenumber of electromagnets in each system depends upon the speed withwhich a plate can be selected dependent upon the desired rotationalspeed of the needle cylinder. A circular knitting machine comprises aplurality of such systems which include the magnet group, the mechanismwith rockers and cam discs, and one adjusting cam 108 and one lifter cam109. The technical equipment which is saved by the fact that the magnetsaffect directly the plates 102 disposed below the needles in the groovesand that springs of any kind and a pattern wheel with teeth areunnecessary is extremely considerable in such circular knitting machineshaving many systems.

The electromagnets 117 which conventionally have a soft iron core 118may alternatively be provided with a permanent magnet as core. Or themagnet armature 114 may consist of a permanent magnet. Attraction andrepulsion of the magnet armature is effected by a field which acts inthe same direction as, or in the opposite direction to the field of thepermanent magnet and which is produced by a suitably polarized directcurrent in the winding 119.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the control elements for theselection device and a circuit diagram. The information signals for theindividual electromagnets of a system are stored successively in a rowor column in the direction of movement of a perforated tape containingthe information. The perforated tape has as many rows or columns assystems of the machine are controlled differently. It is possible tocontrol, for example, with each column two systems of a circularknitting machine which are offset relatively to each other by 180 on themachine. Similarly it is possible to control always with one columnthree or more: systems which are then offset relatively to each other bycorresponding fractions of 360. Thereby the same pattern is knitted onthe knitting machine twice or three times or more often. In general,however, the number of columns is equal to the number of systems whenthe pattern is not repeated on the circumference.

The information signals relating to the pattern stored on the tape areread out in that a perforation 29 releases a beam of light emitted froma light source 33 to a photo cell 54. If, in accordance with theinformation, there is no perforation the tape obscures the light source.The information signals for the, for example, 18 magnets of a system,are therefore read out successively by the read-out device 31. Theinformation signals for the mutually corresponding electromagnets of thesystems are located in one line of the tape and are read outsimultaneously. The information of a column is fed through a conductor41 and an amplifier 35 to the electromagnet group of a system. Aconductor 41 and an amplifier 35 are provided for each system. Theinformation signals 29 may be stored on the tape 30 also in some otherform than in the form of perforations, and moreover the read-outelements 33 and 54 may be constructed in some other manner, for exampleas mechanical contacts or as magnet heads reading out of themagnetization of a magnetic tape.

The information signals for the eighteen electromagnets 1 17 appearsuccessively at the output of the amplitier 35; they are read out inseries. In order to distribute these information signals to the eighteenmagnets in such manner that each magnet receives the informationassociated therewith at its instant C, a distributor is provided which,in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is provided with amechanical member driven in synchronism with the tape 30, namely a camroll 36 which supports earns 37 which are disposed in a helical line andwhich are interchangeably attached to the cam roll 36. These camsco-operate with actuating pins 38 of change-over switches 39 each ofwhich is associated with a magnet 117 in such manner that the winding 119 of the magnet 117 is connected to the normally open contact 40 of thechange-over switch 39 when the information intended for the respectiveelectromagnet 117 arrives at the respective normally open contact 40which is connected to the amplifier output of the amplifier 35. Thenormally closed contact 42 of the individual change-over switches 39 isconnected to a conductor 53 which leads to a current source whichproduces a de-magnetizing current. The demagnetizing current may consistof, for example, pulsating direct current of a current source which hasonly approximately one-third of the magnitude of the current strength ofthe operating current supplied to the windings 119. The de-magnetizingcurrent, however, may alternatively have the form of a dampedoscillation. In this case the starting point of the damped oscillationis preferably synchronized with the rotation of the cam wheel 125. Themovable wiper 43 of the change-over switch 39 is connected to thewinding 119 of the magnet 117 by way of a mechanical relay or anelectronic pulse forming circuit, for example a monostablemulti-vibrator 44. The circuit 44 has the object to convert the shortinformation signal delivered by the amplifier 35 into a current pulsehaving a length which corresponds to the time interval C to B. By asuitable choice of the shape of the cams 37, the duration can be variedduring which the normally open contact 40 is connected to the circuit44. The cam roll 36 may, for example, be disposed on the same shaft 133which supports also the cam discs 125.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments illustrated by way of example, but that modificationsthereof are possible without the scope of the invention being exceeded.In particular, it is possible to use features individually or incombination.

What is claimed is:

1. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquard patterning device whichcomprises read-out device for reading out information relating to apattern, and a selection device, the machine having needles and partsassociated with said needles for displacing seiected needles,displaceable guide faces being provided for moving said parts into anoperative position in which they can affect the needles, or into a restposition in which they remain without effect upon said needles, saiddevice comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic means controlled bysaid read-out device, each of said electro-magnetic means beingoperatively associated with one of said displaceable guide faces toretain said guide face in one of said positions, each guide face beingarranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts of each groupbeing separated from each other by a number of parts associated withother groups, said number being smaller by one than the number ofelectro-magnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and said partsbeing arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide faces beingstaggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement, saidparts being provided with control faces which are staggered in a similarmanner and which are arranged to come into engagement with respectiveassociated displaceable guide faces, each one of said adjustable guidefaces being connected to a magnet armature which is arranged to beguided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of the associatedelectro-magnetic means, said adjustable guide face being disposed at oneend of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnet armature isdisposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature and of saidadjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived from one ofa plurality of cam discs the movement transmission from each one of saidcam discs to a respective said rod supporting a respective said magnetarmature being effected by a respective one of a plurality of rockermembers one end of which rocker member follows the shape of said camdisc, and the other end of which rocker member is in connection withsaid rod, said rod being disposed approximately perpendicular to saidrocker member and to the pivot axis of said rocker member.

2. A circular knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein each one ofsaid cam discs performs one rotation in the period of time during whichsaid parts move relatively to said respective guide faces by a pathlength which is equal to the spacing between two parts of the samegroup.

3. A circular knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said camdiscs for said magnet armatures of all electromagnetic means are rigidlyattached to a common shaft and are so offset relatively to each otheralways by the same angle that a uniform distribution over thecircumference is obtained.

4. A circular knitting machine according to claim 3, wherein said rockermembers have a common pivot axis which extends parallel to said axis ofsaid cam discs.

5. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquard patterning device whichcomprises read-out device for reading out information relating to apattern, and a selection device, the machine having needles and partsassociated with said needles for displacing selected needles,displaceable guide faces being provided for moving said parts into anoperative position in which they can affect the needles, or into a restposition in which they remain without effect upon said needles, saiddevice comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic means controlled bysaid read-out device, each of said electro-magnetic means beingoperatively associated with one of said displaceable guide faces toretain said guide face in one of said positions, each guide face beingarranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts of each groupbeing separated from each other by a number of parts associated withother groups, said number being smaller by one than the number ofelectro-magnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and said partsbeing arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide faces beingstaggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement, saidparts being provided with control faces which are staggered in a similarmanner and which are arranged to come into engagement with respectiveassociated displaceable guide faces, each one of said adjustable guidefaces being connected to a magnet armature which is arranged to beguided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of the associatedelectro-magnetic means, said adjustable guide face being disposed at oneend of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnet armature isdisposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature and of saidadjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived from a camdisc, the movement transmission from said cam disc to said rodsupporting said magnet armature being effected by a rocker member oneend of which follows the shape of said cam disc, and the other end ofwhich is in connection with said rod, said rod being disposedapproximately perpendicular to said rocker member and to the pivot axisof said rocker member, said rod being provided with a cross pin whichextends approximately parallel to said pivot axis of said rocker memberand which engages into a slot which is provided in the region of the endof said rocker member adjacent to said rod.

6. A circular knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein said end ofsaid rocker member adjacent to said rod is in the form of a fork withtwo branches and the two branches of said fork are each provided with aslot.

7. A circular knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein said slotin said rocker end is disposed relatively to said cross pin in suchmanner that during the movement, derived from said cam disc, of saidmagnet armature to said poles of said electromagnetic means said crosspin comes to rest at the end of the slot remote from said magnetarmature and transmits the movement by contact with the face limitingthe end of said slot.

8. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquard patterning device whichcomprises read-out device for reading out information relating to apattern, and a selection device, the machine having needles and partsassociated with said needles for displacing selected needles,displaceable guide faces being provided for moving said parts into anoperative position in which they can affect the needles, or into a restposition in which they remain without effect upon said needles, saiddevice comprising a plurality of electromagnetic means controlled bysaid read-out device, each of said electromagnetic means beingoperatively associated with one of said displaceable guide faces toretain said guide face in one of said positions, each guide face beingarranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts of each groupbeing separated from each other by a number of parts associated withother groups, said number being smaller by one than the number ofelectro-magnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and said partsbeing arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide faces beingstaggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement, saidparts being provided with control faces which are staggered in a similarmanner and which are arranged to come into engagement with respectiveassociated displaceable guide faces, each one of said adjustable guidefaces being connected to a magnet armature which is arranged to beguided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of the associatedelectromagnetic means, said adjustable guide face being disposed at oneend of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnet armature isdisposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature and of saidadjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived from a camdisc, the movement transmission from said cam disc to said rodsupporting said magnet armature being effected by a rocker member oneend of which follows the shape of said cam disc, and the other end ofwhich is in connection with said rod, said rod being disposedapproximately perpendicular to said rocker member and to the pivot axisof said rocker member, a release spring being provided which issupported on the one hand at said rod and on the other hand at saidrocker member and which exerts a force which tends to separate saidmagnet armature from the magnet poles of said associated electromagneticmeans, the force exerted by said release spring being smaller than theforce required for pulling the magnet armature off said poles when saidelectromagnetic means is energized.

9. A circular knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein said onerocker member end rests on said cam disc under the effect of a rockerspring.

10. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquard patterning device whichcomprises read-out device for reading out information relating to apattern, and a selection device, the machine having needles and partsassociated with said needles for displacing selected, needles,displaceable guide faces being provided for moving said parts into anoperative position in which they can affect the needles, or into a restposition in which they remain without effect upon said needles, saiddevice comprising a plurality of electromagnetic means controlled bysaid read-out device, each .of said electromagnetic means beingoperatively associated with one of said displaceable guide faces toretain said guide face in one of said positions, each guide face beingarranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts of each groupbeing separated from each other by a number of parts associated withother groups, said number being smaller by one than the number ofelectromagnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and said partsbeing arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide faces beingstaggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement, saidparts being provided with control faces which are staggered in a similarmanner and which are arranged to come into engagement with respectiveassociated displaceable guide faces, each one of said adjustable guidefaces being connected to a magnet armature which is arranged to beguided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of the associatedelectromagnetic means, said adjustable guide face being disposed at oneend of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnet armature isdisposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature and of saidadjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived from the camdisc through a rocker member, said cam disc holding said rocker memberduring approximately three-quarter rotation of said cam disc in aposition in which said magnet armature is guided by surface contactingagainst said poles of said electro-magnetic means and said rocker memberbeing held during approximately one-quarter rotation in a position inwhich said magnet armature is releasable from said poles with theassistance of the force of a release spring.

1. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquard patterning device whichcomprises read-out device for reading out information relating to apattern, and a selection device, the machine having needles and partsassociated with said needles for displacing selected needles,displaceable guide faces being provided for moving said parts into anoperative position in which they can affect the needles, or into a restposition in which they remain without effect upon said needles, saiddevice comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic means controlled bysaid read-out device, each of said electro-magnetic means beingoperatively associated with one of said displaceable guide faces toretain said guide face in one of said positions, each guide face beingarranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts of each groupbeing separated from each other by a number of parts associated withother groups, said number being smaller by one than the number ofelectro-magnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and said partsbeing arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide faces beingstaggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement, saidparts being provided with control faces which are staggered in a similarmanner and which are arranged to come into engagement with respectiveassociated displaceable guide faces, each one of said adjustable guidefaces being connected to a magnet armature which is arranged to beguided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of the associatedelectro-magnetic means, said adjustable guide face being disposed at oneend of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnet armature isdisposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature and of saidadjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived from one ofa plurality of cam discs the movement transmission from each one of saidcam discs to a respective said rod supporting a respective said magnetarmature being effected by a respective one of a plurality of rockermembers one end of which rocker member follows the shape of said camdisc, and the other end of which rocker member is in connection withsaid rod, said rod being disposed approximately perpendicular to saidrocker member and to the pivot axis of said rocker member.
 2. A circularknitting machine according to claim 1, wherein each one of said camdiscs performs one rotation in the perioD of time during which saidparts move relatively to said respective guide faces by a path lengthwhich is equal to the spacing between two parts of the same group.
 3. Acircular knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said cam discsfor said magnet armatures of all electromagnetic means are rigidlyattached to a common shaft and are so offset relatively to each otheralways by the same angle that a uniform distribution over thecircumference is obtained.
 4. A circular knitting machine according toclaim 3, wherein said rocker members have a common pivot axis whichextends parallel to said axis of said cam discs.
 5. In a circularknitting machine a Jacquard patterning device which comprises read-outdevice for reading out information relating to a pattern, and aselection device, the machine having needles and parts associated withsaid needles for displacing selected needles, displaceable guide facesbeing provided for moving said parts into an operative position in whichthey can affect the needles, or into a rest position in which theyremain without effect upon said needles, said device comprising aplurality of electro-magnetic means controlled by said read-out device,each of said electro-magnetic means being operatively associated withone of said displaceable guide faces to retain said guide face in one ofsaid positions, each guide face being arranged to control a group ofsaid parts, the said parts of each group being separated from each otherby a number of parts associated with other groups, said number beingsmaller by one than the number of electro-magnetic means, saiddisplaceable guide faces and said parts being arranged for mutualrelative movement and said guide faces being staggered transversely tothe direction of said relative movement, said parts being provided withcontrol faces which are staggered in a similar manner and which arearranged to come into engagement with respective associated displaceableguide faces, each one of said adjustable guide faces being connected toa magnet armature which is arranged to be guided mechanically by amechanical drive to poles of the associated electro-magnetic means, saidadjustable guide face being disposed at one end of a rod at the otherend of which rod said magnet armature is disposed, said mechanical driveof said magnet armature and of said adjustable guide face connected tothe latter being derived from a cam disc, the movement transmission fromsaid cam disc to said rod supporting said magnet armature being effectedby a rocker member one end of which follows the shape of said cam disc,and the other end of which is in connection with said rod, said rodbeing disposed approximately perpendicular to said rocker member and tothe pivot axis of said rocker member, said rod being provided with across pin which extends approximately parallel to said pivot axis ofsaid rocker member and which engages into a slot which is provided inthe region of the end of said rocker member adjacent to said rod.
 6. Acircular knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein said end of saidrocker member adjacent to said rod is in the form of a fork with twobranches and the two branches of said fork are each provided with aslot.
 7. A circular knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein saidslot in said rocker end is disposed relatively to said cross pin in suchmanner that during the movement, derived from said cam disc, of saidmagnet armature to said poles of said electromagnetic means said crosspin comes to rest at the end of the slot remote from said magnetarmature and transmits the movement by contact with the face limitingthe end of said slot.
 8. In a circular knitting machine a Jacquardpatterning device which comprises read-out device for reading outinformation relating to a pattern, and a selection device, the machinehaving needles and parts associated with said needles for displacingselected needles, displaceable guide faces being provided for movingsaid parts into an operatIve position in which they can affect theneedles, or into a rest position in which they remain without effectupon said needles, said device comprising a plurality of electromagneticmeans controlled by said read-out device, each of said electromagneticmeans being operatively associated with one of said displaceable guidefaces to retain said guide face in one of said positions, each guideface being arranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts ofeach group being separated from each other by a number of partsassociated with other groups, said number being smaller by one than thenumber of electro-magnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and saidparts being arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide facesbeing staggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement,said parts being provided with control faces which are staggered in asimilar manner and which are arranged to come into engagement withrespective associated displaceable guide faces, each one of saidadjustable guide faces being connected to a magnet armature which isarranged to be guided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of theassociated electromagnetic means, said adjustable guide face beingdisposed at one end of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnetarmature is disposed, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature andof said adjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived froma cam disc, the movement transmission from said cam disc to said rodsupporting said magnet armature being effected by a rocker member oneend of which follows the shape of said cam disc, and the other end ofwhich is in connection with said rod, said rod being disposedapproximately perpendicular to said rocker member and to the pivot axisof said rocker member, a release spring being provided which issupported on the one hand at said rod and on the other hand at saidrocker member and which exerts a force which tends to separate saidmagnet armature from the magnet poles of said associated electromagneticmeans, the force exerted by said release spring being smaller than theforce required for pulling the magnet armature off said poles when saidelectromagnetic means is energized.
 9. A circular knitting machineaccording to claim 8, wherein said one rocker member end rests on saidcam disc under the effect of a rocker spring.
 10. In a circular knittingmachine a Jacquard patterning device which comprises read-out device forreading out information relating to a pattern, and a selection device,the machine having needles and parts associated with said needles fordisplacing selected needles, displaceable guide faces being provided formoving said parts into an operative position in which they can affectthe needles, or into a rest position in which they remain without effectupon said needles, said device comprising a plurality of electromagneticmeans controlled by said read-out device, each of said electromagneticmeans being operatively associated with one of said displaceable guidefaces to retain said guide face in one of said positions, each guideface being arranged to control a group of said parts, the said parts ofeach group being separated from each other by a number of partsassociated with other groups, said number being smaller by one than thenumber of electromagnetic means, said displaceable guide faces and saidparts being arranged for mutual relative movement and said guide facesbeing staggered transversely to the direction of said relative movement,said parts being provided with control faces which are staggered in asimilar manner and which are arranged to come into engagement withrespective associated displaceable guide faces, each one of saidadjustable guide faces being connected to a magnet armature which isarranged to be guided mechanically by a mechanical drive to poles of theassociated electromagnetic means, said adjustable guide face beingdisposed at one end of a rod at the other end of which rod said magnetarmature is disposEd, said mechanical drive of said magnet armature andof said adjustable guide face connected to the latter being derived fromthe cam disc through a rocker member, said cam disc holding said rockermember during approximately three-quarter rotation of said cam disc in aposition in which said magnet armature is guided by surface contactingagainst said poles of said electro-magnetic means and said rocker memberbeing held during approximately one-quarter rotation in a position inwhich said magnet armature is releasable from said poles with theassistance of the force of a release spring.